Formation of the Street
Shota Rustaveli Street is located in the Halytskyi district of Lviv, in the Shtillerivka area. It stretches from Zelena Street to the intersection with Ivana Franka and Stryiska Streets. Initially, since 1863, the street was named Yablonovskyi Street in honor of Polish Crown Hetman Stanisław Jabłonowski. In 1871, it was renamed Yablonovskykh Street. During the German occupation in November 1941, the street was named Karpatenstrasse. In June 1944, the name Yablonovskykh was restored, and in December of the same year, the street was renamed in honor of the Georgian poet Shota Rustaveli.
The street’s development took place in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The architectural ensemble of the street features styles such as classicism, Viennese Secession, and constructivism. The majority of buildings on the street are listed in the Register of Local Architectural Monuments.
Builders and Styles
The building at 8–8a Shota Rustaveli Street was constructed in 1905–1906 by the architectural bureau of Edmund Żychowicz, designed by architect Władysław Sadłowski. The building is an exemplary monument of Secession architecture. The facade is adorned with decorative elements in plaster and metal, including mascarons and balcony brackets. The building is listed in the Register of Local Architectural Monuments under protection number 262-m.
Who Was the Owner?
The original owner of the building was banker Michał Stoff. Information about the current owners is not available in open sources.
What Does the Building Look Like?
The building is a three-story brick tenement with an inner courtyard. The facade is divided by three symmetrically placed risalits. Entrances to the two staircases are located in the central risalit. The staircases retain stucco decor and metlakh tile flooring.
Interesting Facts
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On the second floor of building No. 8 is the art center “Ya Gallery” by Pavlo Gudimov, which opened in September 2019.
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During the Nazi occupation, Polish-Jewish poet Zuzanna Ginczanka hid in the building.
What Is Here Now?
Today, the building remains residential. On the ground floor is a library, and on the second floor is the “Ya Gallery” art center.
References
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Shota Rustaveli Street (Lviv) – Wikipedia
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Shota Rustaveli St., 8-8a – Residential Building with Library on the First Floor – Lviv Interactive